Secretary charged in theft from Ajax school fund

Secretary charged in theft from Ajax school fund

AJAX -- An employee at an Ajax school has been charged with skimming thousands of dollars from a school fund.

Durham police announced the arrest Friday afternoon. Cops said an investigation was launched in October, after an internal audit at St. Bernadette Catholic School revealed $12,300 was missing.

The funds, which police said were "school related" and not budgetary money, were stolen between Sept. 2010 and August 2012, police said.

Mitch LePage, a superintendent of schools at the Durham Catholic District School Board, explained in a telephone interview school funds come from a variety of sources such as fundraising activities and vending machines, and are used for various purposes like student activities.

The trust of public funds is taken very seriously

"The trust of public funds is taken very seriously by the board. And I think really the board's actions are reflective of that," he said, in reference to the investigation and reporting the issue to police.

Mr. LePage called the situation rare, but said the board will take the opportunity to review the current practice of the security and handling of funds.

Bridget McKeever, 45, of Heartland Boulevard in Oshawa, is charged with theft over $5,000.

Ms. McKeever is identified on the school's website as a secretary at St. Bernadette's. Mr. LePage would not comment on her current employment status.